Bill!,
Ice-clear!, and lovely. Kudos. Good reading for all comers.
Know ye, all comers, that Bill! writes from the point of view as a
practitioner. His post is a valuable resource.
All ye comers: if you like, just start practice now, and continue. Our way is
easy. We do just ONE thing at a time, with easy concentration and relaxed
breath. On to the next thing, now.
--Joe
> "Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote:
>
> Edgar,
>
> It's your insistence that 'zen is EVERYTHING' that convinces me that you
> really have no idea what you're talking about; although your real problem
> vis-a-vis zen IMO is that you DO have LOTS and LOTS of IDEAS about what
> you're talking about and it is those ideas that continues to enthrall you and
> hold you back.
>
> The idea that 'zen is EVERYTHING' just rubbish. I think you just WANT to
> believe zen includes all the nice things like art and music or working in
> your garden, and even mundane things like washing dishes or carrying out the
> garbage; but do you really think zen includes torture and child molestation?
>
> Of course that all depends on just what your definition of 'zen' is, and if
> it's EVERYTHING then you really don't have any definition. Why even use the
> word? Why not just call it 'whatever'?
>
> When I use the term 'zen' I use it specifically to refer to the realization
> of Buddha Nature. I use the term 'zen practice' to include a period before
> that first occurs and is identified by the practicing of any number of
> teaching/learning techniques that can lead you to that first realization.
> This realization can also occur without any formal zen teaching, but then
> that is not really 'zen practice' even though it leads to the same place.
> However I mainly use the term 'zen practice' to describe the period AFTER the
> first realization of Buddha Nature and specifically to the continuing
> integration of the realization of Buddha Nature into daily life.
>
> So...the way I use the word 'washing dishes' may or may not be 'zen',
> although I usually do not phrase it that way. I would usually say something
> like 'washing dishes may or may not be done as part of zen practice'. It all
> depends on your state of mind - or better yet, no-mind.
>
> Thanks for participating...Bill!
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